The Green Beret Foundation considers our own Gold Star Community to be of the highest importance, historically underserved, and deserving of our very best efforts. Engaging Gold Star families in a meaningful and lasting way is one of the greatest challenges we face. While Gold Star programs do exist throughout the military community, and although some are effective, we believe that the Foundation can and must bring a very special benefit to our own Gold Star families, from a Green Beret perspective.
A common misconception is that Gold Star services are a “one way street”, with the blue star community honoring the fallen and bringing services to the surviving families. That is only a part of it. Most surviving families have much to share and offer us all. Re-engaging and keeping them engaged with the Special Forces community, that for which their son, husband, father or brother worked so hard to become a “brother”, is now a central element of our Mission.
Our initiatives include;
Our Gold Star Plan engages surviving family members with the Foundation and our internal resources, the Special Forces Command, the Group/Team/ODA, and community resources such as the Special Operations Warrior Foundation (SOWF).